Watford vs Southampton preview: Tickets, team news, line ups and odds

Vicarage Road: Watford will be hoping to secure a win in front of their home fans when they play Southampton Tony Marshall/Getty Images

Vicarage Road was left incredibly frustrated last weekend as Watford's first taste of Premier League football in eight years resulted in a goalless draw against a stubborn West Brom side.

This weekend, however, they come up against a team that they will hope to emulate in Southampton. Two seasons ago, the Saints came up to the Premier League and quickly imposed themselves on the top flight with their own brand of football.

Now under the pragmatic Quique Sanchez Flores, Watford are attempting to achieve the same feat and establish themselves alongside the elite of English football.

The Hornets have shown that they are more than competitive in the Premier League already this season, and currently sit above their next opponents in the table after two very contrasting draws.

Southampton, on the other hand, have had a difficult start to season. The Saints enjoyed a fantastic first season under Ronald Koeman after making the transition seamlessly from Mauricio Pochettino’s successful reign.

But having now broken into Europe, Koeman’s side will have to create a working balance between prioritising the Europa League and the Premier League.

Southampton will be hoping to earn their first win of the campaign at Vicarage Road on Sunday after an emphatic defeat against Everton last weekend.

A win for either side could get their respective seasons up and running.

Form and previous results

Sanchez Flores' team have shown their intent from the start of this Premier League campaign and, despite some minor teething problems, they look determined to fight for their top-flight status.

Last weekend, the Hornets came up against a miserly West Brom defensive unit and were unlucky not to secure their first victory of the season after dominating large periods of the game.

Watford’s new side embodied Flores’ philosophy effectively as they controlled large periods of the game, but lacked the cutting edge in the final third to punish a substandard West Brom.

Now, the Hornets will be hoping to convert their high levels of possession into genuine goal-scoring chances in an attempt to claim their first win of the season.

Southampton's new-look squad, on the other hand, are still taking time to gel under Koeman's regime. After taking a point away from a rejuvenated St.James Park, the Saints suffered a shock 3-0 home defeat to Everton.

Despite showing glimpses of what made them so successful last season, their vulnerability defending counter-attacks was exploited by Roberto Martinez, whose side made them pay for their lack of profligacy.

But now Southampton will see their upcoming fixture as a chance to rectify their poor early form.

New signing: Alessandro Diamanti joined Watford on a season-long loan

Team news

Alessandro Diamanti comes into first team contention and could make his first start after signing for the Hornets earlier on this week.

Miguel Britos, who missed the first two games of the season, is available for selection again after an existing ban from last season kept him out of the starting XI for the opening two games. Jose Holebas is fit for selection but could miss out to Ikechi Anya after the Scottish international's brilliant performance last weekend.

Southampton could name a much-changed side on Sunday after Koeman's aggressive selection in the Europa League on Thursday night. Sadio Mane has been subject to interest from Manchester United this week but is still expected to start against Watford this weekend.

What they’re saying

Flores: "For us, the most important thing is not to change our plans, we must be consistent and go game by game, which means the pressure is only on thinking about that match.

"We feel good, we have the feeling that we’ve done well in our first two games. We are now thinking of another plan against different opponents, but we are confident because we believe our players can do well in our next match.

"Southampton play with the ball, they try to play well with quick, fast players on the counter-attack. They sometimes mix their play so we’ll have to think about these things in the match."

Koeman: "There will be no more players sold this summer.

"There is no bid for any player. Not for Sadio Mane and not for Victor Wanyama.

"Write what you want about the rumours, nobody is going to leave Southampton this summer."